The best time to check the pressure is when the tyres have had a chance to cool down, not when they are warm as some people believe. The correct ‘maximum' inflation pressure is to be found on the sticker on the driver's door, the fuel door, or inside the vehicle manual under ‘recommended inflation pressure'.

Correctly-inflated tyres can save significantly at the pump and even more. It also promotes safety, even tyre wear, enhances ride comfort and it maximises fuel economy.

Goodyear's Automotive Engineering manager Peter Henning says running a tyre just 20% under-inflated can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10%. "An under-inflated tyre deflects more energy, increasing rolling resistance and robbing the vehicle of fuel efficiency. At today's fuel prices, and especially during the holiday period when people generally travel a lot further, 10% is a considerable and unnecessary expense that could be saved by a little more fresh air!
"As well as being heavy on your pocket, running under-inflated tyres also reduces their tread life which means they will need to be replaced sooner than should be necessary. Plus it can be dangerous - studies show that 87% of all flat tyres have a history of under-inflation," Henning confirms. Statistics also reveal that one in every three cars has at least one under-inflated tyre and, while nearly seven in ten drivers say they wash their vehicles every month, barely more than half check tyre pressure in that period. The majority of drivers (71%) forget to check the pressure in their spare tyre at all.
A spokesman for Mastertreads, which has been successfully servicing motorists in the Western Cape region for more than 50 years, says that, in the interests of safety, their outlets offer free tyre inspections. Mastertreads' expert technicians will add air, when it is needed, as a complementary service.
According to Hi-Q GM Andrew Bowren, over time, even normal driving conditions affect steering and suspension, which, in turn, impacts a vehicle's wheel alignment. "All four wheels, plus the spare tyre, should be professionally inspected before a long trip. Modern, well-equipped stores like Hi-Q use electronic four-wheel alignment machinery, which is both more efficient and more accurate."
Trentyre, Hi-Q and Tirepoint stores have a massive national footprint, with branches in both big city suburbs and small towns. All these one-stop fitment stores offer puncture repair services and stock a full range of passenger and recreational tyres.